Reducing torque needed to perform a cardiovascular procedure

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a medical device for use in right coronary arteriography or right coronary angioplasty and stent placement, wherein the medial device and use thereof reduces the amount of torque required to perform the cardiovascular procedure. A catheter is provided that is U-shaped and includes an angle near the distal end. The catheter is used to perform a selective right coronary arteriography procedure at or near the orifice of a blood vessel with a limited amount of torque and catheter manipulation. The safety and efficacy of the right coronary arteriography procedure using the limited-torque technique and catheter results in a decreased incidence of intimal injury due to a reduction in the amount of torque required to finalize proper placement of the catheter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A right coronary catheter for use in performing a medical procedure on a cardiovascular system of a patient, the catheter comprising: 
 an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member being curved in three dimensions so that the distal end is selectively placed in proximity with a right coronary ostium of a patient with only a minimal amount of torque exerted on the tubular member.    
     
     
         2 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is a coronary arteriography procedure.  
     
     
         3 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is an angioplasty and stent placement procedure.  
     
     
         4 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the tubular member corresponds to a first radius that provides a U-shaped configuration in the tubular member.  
     
     
         5 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 4 , wherein a second portion of the tubular member corresponds to a second radius that provides the distal end of the tubular member angled away from the proximal end of the tubular member.  
     
     
         6 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 5 , wherein a third portion of the tubular member corresponds to a third radius that provides the distal end of the tubular member in a transverse position in relation to the proximal end.  
     
     
         7 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the third portion of the tubular member includes the second portion of the tubular member.  
     
     
         8 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member includes a soft distal tip.  
     
     
         9 . A method for performing a medical diagnosis or treatment of the right coronary artery of a patient, the method comprising steps of: 
 providing a catheter having an elongated hollow body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the elongated hollow body is substantially curved in three dimensions so that the distal end portion may be selectively placed in proximity with a right coronary ostium of a patient with only a minimal amount of torque exerted on the tubular member; and    advancing the distal end portion through the descending aorta, over the aortic arch and into the ascending aorta, wherein the advancement of the catheter over the aortic arch locates distal end portion in proximity with the right coronary ostium of the patient.    
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a step of using the catheter to perform a coronary arteriography procedure.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a step of using the catheter to perform an angioplasty and stent placement procedure.  
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the catheter includes a U-shaped configuration.  
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the proximal end portion of the catheter is transverse from the distal end portion.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the distal end portion of the catheter angles away from the proximal end portion.  
     
     
         15 . A right coronary catheter for use in performing a medical procedure on a cardiovascular system of a patient, the catheter comprising: 
 an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member being curved in two dimensions so that the distal end is selectively placed in proximity with a right coronary ostium of a patient with only a minimal amount of torque exerted on the tubular member.    
     
     
         16 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the medical procedure is one of: 
 (i) a coronary arteriography procedure; and    (ii) an angioplasty and stent placement procedure.    
     
     
         17 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a first portion of the tubular member corresponds to a first radius that provides a U-shaped configuration in the tubular member.  
     
     
         18 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 17 , wherein a second portion of the tubular member corresponds to a second radius that provides the distal end of the tubular member angled away from the proximal end of the tubular member.  
     
     
         19 . A right coronary catheter as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the third portion of the tubular member includes the second portion of the tubular member.